Why Dark Mode Matters
Dark mode isn't just a trend - it's a critical design consideration for modern web experiences. Beyond aesthetics, it provides significant benefits for eye strain reduction, battery efficiency on OLED screens, and creating comfortable user experiences in low-light environments.
Example CSS
@layer {
.dark\:bg-gray-900 { @apply bg-gray-900; }
.dark\:text-gray-100 { @apply text-gray-100; }
}
This foundational CSS layer enables clean dark mode transitions across our entire design system.
Implementation Strategies
Color Contrast
- • Maintain at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text
- • Use semi-transparent overlays for component depth
- • Ensure button states remain distinguishable
System Preferences
Detect operating system settings with prefers-color-scheme, but always provide user override options.
Testing Considerations
Cross-Platform Consistency
Form Visibility
Accessibility
Dark Mode Patterns
| Element | Light Mode | Dark Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Background | rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) | rgba(17, 24, 39, 1) |
| Text | rgba(55, 65, 81, 1) | rgba(239, 241, 243, 1) |
| Border | rgba(209, 213, 219, 1) | rgba(75, 85, 99, 1) |